News & market updates

The Export Development Board held a networking and knowledge-sharing session on 22 May 2025 for 100 new exporters across five product sectors (tea, spices/coconut, processed foods/cashew, ornamental fish, herbal/ayurvedic), featuring industry speakers from leading exporters.

The Export Development Board hosted a networking and knowledge-sharing session on 22 May 2025 for 100 new exporters across five product sectors (tea; spices & coconut-based; processed foods & cashew; ornamental fish; herbal & ayurvedic) featuring industry speakers.

Shangri-La Colombo launched a new collection of artisanal chocolate cakes, led by the Pettah Tea Mousse Cake, available from 1 June 2025 at the hotel's Sapphyr Lounge and via the Shangri-La eBoutique.

Regional Plantation Companies are expanding crop diversification — oil palm now covers about 11,000 ha yielding ~Rs 514,000/ha and saving ~USD 17m in edible oil imports — while RPCs including KVAL, ELPL and KAHA report increased high‑value crop plantings and revenues.

Serendib Flour Mills awarded scholarships to ten students from tea plantation communities, including recipients from estates under Namunukula Plantations, Balangoda Plantations and Kelani Valley Plantations. Each scholarship covers university expenses and recipients will attend Sri Lankan universities.

Ceylon Chamber Vice Chairman Krishan Balendra said the private sector is ready to pursue long-term trade and investment partnerships with Chinese firms, noting strong Chinese interest in Sri Lankan exports and opportunities in clean energy, healthcare, ICT/BPM and infrastructure. He invited the delegation to the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit in December 2025 and cited a 5% GDP growth and improved reserves as boosting investor appeal.

Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando invited Chinese firms at the Sri Lanka-China Trade and Investment Forum 2025 to pursue joint ventures in agro-processing, ICT/BPO, textiles and apparel, tourism and renewable energy. The event hosted 115 delegates representing 77 Chinese companies and pledged investor-friendly policies emphasizing transparency, sustainability and digitisation.

The Sri Lanka–China Trade & Investment Forum 2025 in Colombo brought over 115 senior representatives from 77 Chinese firms together with Sri Lankan public and private sector leaders to explore partnerships and investments across automotive, tea plantations, renewable energy, construction and water treatment sectors.

China's commerce minister said China is ready to support Sri Lanka's development and expand trade and economic cooperation at the Sri Lanka–China Trade and Investment Forum. The Colombo forum hosted 115 representatives from 77 Chinese firms to discuss investments in automotive value chains, tea plantations, renewable energy, construction and water treatment.

Gal Oya Plantation Ltd said it received an FL 01 liquor bottling licence as part of a court-mandated settlement, denying claims of political favoritism and calling social-media reports 'misinformation'.

Sri Lanka Post issued two commemorative stamps honoring Dilmah Tea founder Merrill J. Fernando, unveiled in Colombo on what would have been his 95th birthday; the stamps celebrate his legacy and 40 years of Dilmah (est. 1985).

Dividend · Rs 5.50 · XD Jun 30, 2025

First And Final dividend of LKR 5.5/share; XD 2025-06-30; record 2025-06-30; payable 2025-07-18; FY 2024/2025

Dividend · Rs 1.30 · XD Jun 30, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 1.3/share; XD 2025-06-30; record 2025-06-30; payable 2025-07-18; FY 2024/25

Pure Ceylon Tea remains a globally valued premium export for Sri Lanka, with smallholders supplying almost three-quarters of national production. Regional plantation companies and factories are increasingly adopting sustainable farming, energy-efficient processing and social programmes supporting estate communities.

Sri Lanka and the FAO marked International Tea Day on 21 May with a Geneva event co-hosted by Sri Lanka's Permanent Mission and the FAO, supported by the Sri Lanka Tea Board; speakers highlighted Ceylon tea's history, the Tea Board's 2025 theme and the Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute centenary.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will lead a 115-member delegation from 77 Chinese companies to Colombo for a Sri Lanka–China Trade and Investment Forum on May 30 to explore trade and investment ties. Delegates target Sri Lankan exports (tea, spices, seafood, fruits) and potential collaboration in textiles, automotive, clean energy, water treatment, engineering and construction.

Kotagala Plantations PLC will raise Rs.761.6 million via a Rights Issue of 84,628,125 shares at Rs.9 each (1 new for every 4 held) to settle related-party debts, repay broker borrowings and fund working capital. The issue is subject to shareholder approval.

Dividend · Rs 0.20 · XD Jun 26, 2025

First And Final dividend of LKR 0.2/share; XD 2025-06-26; record 2025-06-26; payable 2025-07-16; FY 2024

Sri Lanka's merchandise exports rose 12% to $983.3m in April 2025, driven by apparel, tea and coconut-based products. The United States was the top destination ($190m) and India became the second-largest buyer ($77m), overtaking the UK.

Sri Lanka's total exports rose 6.9% to US$5,583.25 Mn in Jan–Apr 2025, with April exports at US$1,292.63 Mn up 8.74% YoY. Growth was driven by merchandise (apparel, tea, coconut products, spices, food & beverages) and services (ICT/BPM, construction, transport & logistics).

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters arrived in Sri Lanka for an official visit to hold high-level talks with the President and Prime Minister on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, including agriculture, tourism, education and sports; he departs on 28 May.

Israel offered to implement agricultural projects in Sri Lanka similar to 32 'Centre of Excellence' projects with India and invited Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha to visit Israel to study modern farming technologies and vocational training. The minister urged modernisation, land consolidation and forming farmer companies to boost productivity and youth participation.

Rights issue · 1:4 at Rs 9.00 · XD Sep 17, 2025

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the New Zealand High Commission held a market-access session urging exporters to meet New Zealand's phytosanitary and regulatory standards; Sri Lanka's exports to New Zealand were $29.67m in 2024 (up 12.85%), imports $216.37m (down 14.59%).

Sri Lanka's tea exports rose to 18.20m kg in April 2025, up 1.82m kg YoY, with Jan–Apr volumes at 81.41m kg (+2.71m kg). April FOB rose to Rs.1,760.31 (+Rs.14.86 YoY) and dollar terms showed a small increase, driven by value-added categories despite declines in bulk and green tea.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka is the world’s third-largest tea exporter, supplying about 15% of global tea exports and ranking among the top suppliers to China. She pledged government support for dignified work conditions for tea pluckers at the International Tea Day China–Sri Lanka Cultural Gala on 21 May.

Brown & Company PLC (BRWN.N0000) celebrates its 150th anniversary, highlighting its status as a diversified conglomerate and the world’s largest tea producer/exporter with investments in renewables and the Colombo Port City marina; the company is presented as part of the LOLC group.

Asia Siyaka Commodities said Sri Lanka's April tea crop rose 21% YoY to 26.3 Mnkg, the highest April output since 2021. January–April production rose 10% YoY to 88.3 Mnkg.

Sri Lanka's High Commission in Ottawa helped a Toronto-based importer expand its imports of Sri Lankan products—including a new Ceylon tea brand, coconut cream, coconut oil and Sri Lanka‑packed dairy—at a launch event on 25 April.